JOIN USPreparations are in full swing and scientists are giving final touches for the launch of PSLV-C28 rocket, which is carrying five satellites of the UK, at 9:58 pm on Friday.
The satellites are being launched as part of the agreement between DMC International Imaging (DMCii), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), UK, and Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro) commercial arm Antrix Corporation Limited.
The 62.5 hour countdown, which began at the Sriharikota Spaceport at 7:28 am on Wednesday, has been progressing smoothly, said Isro sources.
Isro officials said that the propellant filling operations in the fourth stage has been completed. Filling of propellants in the remaining three stages would be completed before the launch, which would take place from the First Launch Pad.
This would be the heaviest commercial launch for Isro and Antrix as the rocket would be carrying a total payload of 1,440 kg.
“All the health parameters of the rocket is normal. Launch is scheduled for 9:58 pm on July 10 at the first launch pad,” a senior Isro official told Deccan Herald.
The PSLV, in its 30th flight, will launch three identical DMC3 optical earth observation satellites built by SSTL.
The 44.4-metre-tall 320-tonne PSLV is a four stage/engine rocket with six strap-on motors for addition thrust during the initial phase of the flight.
The first and third stages are powered by solid fuel and are cast ready, while the second and fourth stages are powered by liquid fuel which will be filled during the countdown. The three DMC3 satellites, each weighing 447 kg, will be launched into a 647 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) using the high-end version of PSLV (PSLV-XL) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
Of the other two satellites, CBNT-1 weighs 91 kg and is also an optical earth observation technology demonstration micro-satellite, while the De-OrbitSail weighs 7 kg. This is an experimental nano satellite for demonstration of large thin membrane sail and drag deorbiting. The three DMC3 and the CBNT-1 satellites are built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. The De-OrbitSail is built by Surrey Space Centre.
According to Isro, accommodating the three DMC3 satellites each with a height of about 3 metres within the existing payload fairing or the heat shield of the PSLV was a challenge.
A circular L-adaptor and a triangular Multiple Satellite Adapter-Version 2 (MSA-V2) were newly designed and realised by Isro for this purpose.
The DMC3 constellation is designed to address the need for simultaneous high spatial resolution and high temporal resolution optical earth observation. These satellites can image any target on the earth's surface every day.
Major application areas include surveying the resources on earth and its environment, managing urban infrastructure and monitoring disasters.